Frank Monte
The early years of the one-time Philadelphia Consiglieri
Frank Monte would become for a brief time, the Philadelphia Consiglieri. This short article looks at the years prior to him becoming a made member.
Born in Philadelphia, 1931, to John Monte and Virginia Mancini, by 1940, Frank Monte was living in a multi-generation dwelling, housing himself, his father, his brother, four aunties, a grand mother and a grandfather, his namesake, Frank Monte. The younger Frank’s mother and father had separated by this time and would go on to divorce.
His grandfather (listed on some records as Francesco Monti) had immigrated in 1903 from Belmonte Mezzagno and was living at 722 Warnock Street as early as 1920; an address his Grandson, Frank was attached to as late as 1961. Frank’s Great Grandmother was a Barrale (a Belmontese name associated with the Philadelphia LCN Family).
The younger Frank was an amateur boxer before enlisting in the army in 1949, serving in Korea, before being wounded in 1951. Records describe his injury as ‘seriously wounded in action by missile.’
When he returned to Philadelphia, he wasn’t far from LCN characters. Whilst he didn’t appear to have any close family with mob ties, a stone’s throw from his address lived Michael Piccolo (made a member in 1955), brother to future Capodecina and Consiglieri, Nicholas Piccolo. Monte would go on to be Consiglieri to the Piccolo’s nephew, Nicky Scarfo.
Also close by was member Salvatore Casella (Father of Peter Casella, who would plot Boss Philip Testa’s death in 1981). Testa would become Monte’s Capodecina.
By 1953, Frank Monte was starting to make a name for himself as a burglar. In December of this year, four men were arrested in Trenton, N.J., after they attempted to take $4,800 from a locked, moving car. They were unsuccessful, reported and later apprehended. The men were LCN member Rocco Scafidi, Andrew Scafidi, William LaMassa, and Frank Monte, then just 22 years old. The driver of the car was unable to identify them, “the four Philadelphians said they came to Trenton to shop for Christmas gifts because of cheaper prices here. In the trunk of [Andrew] Scafidi’s auto a realistic toy pistol was found.” A few days later, when the four failed to pay fines of disorderly conduct, they were all jailed.
In April, 1954, three men robbed a Trenton Beverage company employee of her satchel containing checks and cash worth over $41,000, as she was leaving her car, heading for a bank. Two witnesses tied Monte to the crime, however he denied the charge and testified at the time of the crime “he was helping his grandmother with the housework.” The robbed employee stated that, “a man “resembling” Monte clamped his hand over her mouth and wrenched the brief case containing the cash and checks from her… Under cross-examination, [she] admitted she was not “absolutely certain” that Monte was the man.” Louis Hartel, a burglar who had linked Monte to the robbery, “told the jury that he was in company with Monte, Louis Torzillo and Paul Bellino along with another man identified only as “Rocco” when all admitted being involved in the robbery.” There is a strong case that the pre-mentioned “Rocco” is Rocco Scafidi. Frank Monte was acquitted of his part in the robbery. His brother’s testimony, that Monte was at home, helped his cause.
In May 1954, a Morrisville, PA, home was robbed of $100 cash and $996 in jewellery. Louis Hartel, again was in on the act. In March 1955, he pleaded guilty to being part of a five-man team and stated, “Louis Torzillo, Paul Bellino, who are in a New Jersey prison, and Rocco Scafida [Scafidi] and Frank Monte, who are fugitives from justice, were with him.” Monte would be later acquitted of the charge.
In May 1955, an illegal still of 1,000 gallon capacity was found in Ivyland, Bucks Co.; the farm location was making moonshine whiskey. The farm owner was arrested, as was Frank Monte as he drove towards the farm “in a panel truck loaded with sugar and charcoal.” Monte was asked many questions, to which he replied, “I don’t know anything.” He was charged with violating liquor laws.
In November 1956, Monte along with three others was jailed for 60 days at Camden County prison for carrying burglar tools. A routine road check led troopers to find tools, a pistol and a knife in a car containing Monte, Louis Matteo, Rosario Falzone and John Passalocqua.
In March 1958, Monte was placed on probation for one year following his arrest in 1955 and his part in the local Bootleg Ring. Monte was arrested in June 1958 with a charge of gambling and in October 1958 for frequenting a gambling house.
In October 1960, Frank Monte, the Purple heart veteran became a made member of the Philadelphia LCN Family.
FBI files state, “Frank Monte and Frank Narducci were both “made” members of La Cosa Nostra in Philadelphia in 10/60… Rocco Scafidi was “reinstated” into La Cosa Nostra on the same night. This source said the induction ceremony took place at the Buckeye Athletic club” and, “On this occasion, Frank Monte, Frank Narducci, Michael Tramantana, Santo Romeo and a “Mike” (LNU) from Trenton, N.J., also known as “lightning” were sponsored for admission to La Cosa Nostra…Frank Monte and Frank Narducci were sponsored by Philip Testa.”
In June 1964, Monte and Rocco Scafidi would discuss the making ceremony.
RS - Hey tell me the truth, the night we met and I was made you didn’t know I was in (La Cosa Nostra) did you? You know, when I was reinstated?
FM - (Obscene) what you think, I come from the country or something. I knew everybody - before I was in (La Cosa Nostra) I knew everybody.
RS - You knew I was in all that time?
FM - Yeah, yeah.
RS - When you and I were clipping together you knew I was in then?
FM - Yes, I knew you was in.
